Devotee killed in Tuljapur temple stampede

A pilgrim was killed and at least 20 others injured in a stampede at the famous Tuljapur Devi Temple in Osmanabad district of Maharashtra, police said here Saturday.

The tragedy occurred just before 1 a.m. last night when thousands of pilgrims were waiting in long queues to enter the temple on the eve of Navratri festival which began Saturday.

A sudden melee near the main entrance of the temple, as impatient crowds jostled for "darshan", caused a stampede among the devotees. Security personnel attempted to control the crowd but 60-year-old Haridas Khapale of Dastur village in Solapur district was crushed by the mob.

At least 20 other pilgrims were injured in the stampede and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable, an official of the Tuljapur police station said.